WO2015198041A2 - Élément de retenue d'outil - Google Patents

Élément de retenue d'outil Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015198041A2
WO2015198041A2 PCT/GB2015/051836 GB2015051836W WO2015198041A2 WO 2015198041 A2 WO2015198041 A2 WO 2015198041A2 GB 2015051836 W GB2015051836 W GB 2015051836W WO 2015198041 A2 WO2015198041 A2 WO 2015198041A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tool
arrangement
catcher
profile
tool catcher
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2015/051836
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2015198041A3 (fr
Inventor
Gavin David Cowie
Robin Barclay Mair
Matthew Manning
Original Assignee
Well-Centric Oilfield Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Well-Centric Oilfield Services Ltd filed Critical Well-Centric Oilfield Services Ltd
Publication of WO2015198041A2 publication Critical patent/WO2015198041A2/fr
Publication of WO2015198041A3 publication Critical patent/WO2015198041A3/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/068—Well heads; Setting-up thereof having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells
    • E21B33/072—Well heads; Setting-up thereof having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells for cable-operated tools
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • E21B19/10—Slips; Spiders ; Catching devices
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • E21B23/004—Indexing systems for guiding relative movement between telescoping parts of downhole tools
    • E21B23/006—"J-slot" systems, i.e. lug and slot indexing mechanisms

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tool retainer for use in a line lubricator such as a wireline lubricator and, in particular, though not exclusively, for use in a wireline lubricator at a wellhead of an oil or gas well.
  • Such known tool catchers also generally include a release mechanism which is operated by deliberately or actively applying a dedicated force so as to release the tool string from the tool catcher and permit further downhole operations to be performed.
  • tool catchers are known which include a release mechanism which is actuated on the application of hydraulic pressure in order to release the tool string from the tool catcher and permit further downhole operations to be performed.
  • Such tool catchers may be relatively complex and/or expensive to manufacture and operate.
  • the Applicant's co-pending international patent application number PCT/GB2014/050637 describes a safety system for a wireline lubricator including a motion resistance arrangement for resisting the motion of a tool string within a stuffing box at the wellhead of an oil or gas well and a tension sensor and indicator arrangement for sensing and displaying the tension in the wireline as the tool string is pulled into engagement with the motion resistor arrangement.
  • a safety system may provide an indication of the proximity of the tool string to the stuffing box.
  • the safety system further includes a tool catching arrangement which serves to catch the tool string in the event that a winch operator fails to notice the increase in tension developed in the wireline as a result of the action of the motion resistor arrangement. However, if the tool catching arrangement is operated in this way, subsequent use of the safety system requires that the safety system is disassembled and redressed.
  • a tool retainer for use in a line lubricator, the tool retainer comprising:
  • a resilient member which biases the tool catcher arrangement towards a tool catching configuration in which the tool catcher arrangement is capable of catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement along an axial direction;
  • tool catcher arrangement and the indexing arrangement are configured to interact so as to selectively release a caught tool in response to a predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • Such a tool retainer may be operable to capture a tool or a tool string within a lubricator in the event of breakage of a line such as a wireline from which the tool is suspended or disconnection of the line from the tool. Moreover, the tool retainer may be reset solely by application of axial forces to the tool catcher arrangement. Such a tool retainer may be used to catch a tool within a lubricator and, subsequently, only release the caught tool after a predetermined sequence of axial forces is applied to the tool catcher arrangement by the tool via the line.
  • Such a tool retainer is passive and does not require to be deliberately armed or configured at a first time in order for the tool retainer to catch a tool which is subsequently pulled into the lubricator at a second time which is later than the first time.
  • the tool retainer may be simpler and/or less expensive to operate and/or manufacture than known tool catcher arrangements.
  • the tool retainer may also permit a tool to be installed and then held in place within a lubricator to facilitate testing of the lubricator. Once testing of the lubricator is complete, the tool may be selectively released by simple manipulation of the line.
  • the indexing arrangement may comprise a tubular member defining a slot.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise a pin which extends into the slot.
  • the indexing arrangement may comprise a plurality of slots formed in the tubular member.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may define one or more cam pins. Each cam pin may extend into a corresponding slot so as to define the predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • Each cam pin may be constrained to move along a path defined by a slot so as to cause the tool catcher arrangement to move axially and rotationally relative to the tubular member.
  • Each of the one or more slots may comprise a J-slot.
  • the indexing arrangement may comprise a cam profile which extends in a circumferential direction.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise one or more radial projections which are configured to engage the cam profile.
  • the indexing arrangement may comprise an indexing sleeve which defines the cam profile on an internal surface thereof.
  • the cam profile may be configured so that the indexing sleeve rotates on axial engagement of the one or more radial projections with at least a portion of the cam profile.
  • the indexing sleeve may define a primary cam profile on the internal surface thereof, the primary cam profile extending in a circumferential direction.
  • the indexing sleeve may define a secondary cam profile on the internal surface thereof, the secondary cam profile extending in a circumferential direction.
  • the primary and secondary cam profiles may generally face or be generally disposed in opposite axial directions.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise one or more primary radial projections each configured for engagement with the primary cam profile.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise one or more secondary radial projections each configured for engagement with the secondary cam profile.
  • the predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement may be defined by engagement of the one or more primary radial projections with the primary cam profile and engagement of the one or more secondary radial projections with the secondary cam profile.
  • the indexing sleeve may define a spline profile on the internal surface thereof.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise one or more tertiary radial projections, wherein the spline profile engages the one or more tertiary radial projections so as to selectively prevent axial movement of the tool catcher arrangement relative to the indexing sleeve for selected rotational positions of the indexing sleeve relative to the tool catcher arrangement.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise a tool catcher sleeve and a plurality of tool catcher elements provided circumferentially around the tool catcher sleeve.
  • Each tool catcher element may define a latch profile for engaging a tool head.
  • the latch profile may define a shoulder for engaging a shoulder defined by the tool head.
  • the tool catcher elements may be biased radially outwardly.
  • Each tool catcher element may define a tapered outer shoulder which is configured to engage a tapered shoulder defined by an internal profile of the tubular member.
  • Each tool catcher element may define a plurality of different latch profiles, each latch profile being configured to engage a differently configured tool head.
  • the tool catcher sleeve may comprise a collet sleeve and the tool catcher elements may be defined by a plurality of resilient collet fingers defined by the collet sleeve.
  • the tool catcher elements may comprise a plurality of sprung keys mounted on the tool catcher sleeve.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a tubular member.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may be configured to selectively catch and/or release the tool according to an axial position of the tool catcher arrangement relative to the tubular member.
  • the tubular member may define an internal profile which is configured to selectively support and de-support the tool catcher elements radially according to an axial position of the tool catcher elements relative to the internal profile.
  • the resilient member may bias the tool catcher arrangement towards an initial axial position in which the tool catcher elements are radially de-supported by the internal profile of the tubular member so as to permit a head of the tool to move past the latch profile of each tool catcher element in a first axial direction.
  • the indexing arrangement may selectively constrain relative axial movement between the tool catcher arrangement and the tubular member after a shoulder defined by the tool head has moved past a shoulder defined by the latch profile of each tool catcher element in the first axial direction so that the internal profile of the tubular member radially supports the tool catcher elements thereby preventing the tool catcher elements from being deformed radially outwardly and preventing any subsequent movement of the tool head shoulder back past the latch profile shoulder of each tool catcher element in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction until the tool catcher arrangement is moved through the predetermined sequence of axial movements defined by the indexing arrangement.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise a mandrel
  • the resilient member may extend around at least part of the mandrel.
  • the mandrel may define a bore for accommodating a line for supporting the tool.
  • the line may comprise a wireline, a slickline, a cable, coiled tubing or the like.
  • the tool catcher sleeve may be mounted on the mandrel.
  • the mandrel may comprise a first end for engagement by the head of the tool.
  • the first end of the mandrel may be complementary in configuration to the head of the tool.
  • the tool catcher elements may extend axially beyond the first end of the mandrel so as to define a space which extends axially between the shoulders defined by the latch profiles of the tool catcher elements and the first end of the mandrel, which space is capable of accommodating the head of the tool.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a head member.
  • the head member may be fixed to the tubular member at or adjacent one end of the tubular member.
  • the head member may support the tubular member.
  • the head member may be configured to be supported by a lubricator housing.
  • the head member may comprise a housing for at least one of a secondary tool catcher arrangement and a valve arrangement.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise a bearing configured to permit rotation of the tool catcher arrangement relative to the resilient member.
  • a first end of the resilient member may engage the bearing and a second end of the resilient member may engage the head member.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a release profile which is fixed axially relative to the tubular member and which is configured to deform one or more collet fingers radially outwardly when the tool catcher arrangement is located in the initial axial position so as to at least partially assist the head of the tool to move past the shoulder defined by the latch profile of the one or more collet fingers in the first axial direction.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a plurality of release profiles, wherein each release profile is fixed axially relative to the tubular member and each release profile is configured to deform one or more collet fingers radially outwardly when the tool catcher arrangement is located in the initial axial position so as to at least partially assist the head of the tool to move past the latch profile of the one or more collet fingers in the first axial direction.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a detent profile which is fixed axially relative to the tubular member and which is configured to engage a complementary detent profile of the tool catcher arrangement so as to resist axial motion of the tool catcher arrangement relative to the tubular member until a sufficient axial force is applied to the tool catcher arrangement.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a plurality of detent profiles, wherein each detent profile is fixed axially relative to the tubular member and each detent profile is configured to engage a complementary detent profile of the tool catcher arrangement so as to resist axial motion of the tool catcher arrangement relative to the tubular member until a sufficient axial force is applied to the tool catcher arrangement.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a detent sleeve which is fixed axially relative to the tubular member.
  • the detent sleeve may define the release profile.
  • the detent sleeve may define a release finger.
  • the release finger may define the release profile.
  • the detent sleeve may define a plurality of release fingers. Each release finger may define a corresponding release profile.
  • the detent sleeve may define the detent profile.
  • the detent sleeve may comprise a detent finger.
  • the detent finger of the detent sleeve may define the detent profile.
  • the detent sleeve may define a plurality of detent fingers. Each detent finger may define a corresponding detent profile.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise a guide sleeve.
  • the guide sleeve may define the complementary detent profile.
  • the guide sleeve may define a detent finger.
  • the detent finger of the guide sleeve may define the complementary detent profile.
  • the guide sleeve may define a plurality of detent fingers. Each detent finger may define a corresponding detent profile.
  • the guide sleeve may define a window which is configured to receive the detent finger of the detent sleeve.
  • the window may be configured to accommodate movement of the detent finger of the detent sleeve in the window.
  • the guide sleeve may define a plurality of windows. Each window may be configured to receive a corresponding detent finger of the detent sleeve. Each window may be configured to accommodate movement of a corresponding detent finger of the detent sleeve in the window.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise an inner guide sleeve.
  • the inner guide sleeve may define a plurality of guide fingers.
  • the inner guide sleeve may be connected to the mandrel, for example by screws.
  • a guide finger of the inner guide sleeve may be configured to be stiff or rigid.
  • a guide finger of the inner guide sleeve may be configured to be relatively rigid compared with a detent finger of the guide sleeve.
  • the guide fingers may act to centralise a tool head when the tool head approaches and/or engages an end of the mandrel. Such guide fingers may act so as to prevent the transfer of any off-axis forces from the tool head to the tool catcher elements.
  • the guide fingers may serve to protect the tool catcher elements from any off-axis bending forces whilst also permitting the tool catcher elements to axially retain the tool head.
  • the tool retainer may be configured for installation within a lubricator housing or a stuffing box housing.
  • the tool retainer may comprise a lubricator housing or a stuffing box housing.
  • a lubricator for a line comprising a lubricator housing and a tool retainer installed within the lubricator housing, the tool retainer comprising:
  • a resilient member which biases the tool catcher arrangement towards a tool catching configuration in which the tool catcher arrangement is capable of catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement along an axial direction;
  • an indexing arrangement wherein the tool catcher arrangement and the indexing arrangement are configured to interact so as to selectively release a caught tool in response to a predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • an indicator arrangement for a lubricator comprising:
  • a tool catcher arrangement for catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement
  • a resilient member which biases the tool catcher arrangement towards a tool catching configuration in which the tool catcher arrangement is capable of catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement along an axial direction;
  • a tension indicator arrangement for providing an indication of tension in a line supporting the tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement via the line and movement of the tool is resisted by the resilient member
  • tool catcher arrangement and the indexing arrangement are configured to interact so as to selectively release a caught tool in response to a predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • the tension indicator arrangement may provide an indication of the proximity of the tool catcher arrangement to the head member. This may allow a winch operator to cease hauling in the line before the tool causes any damage to the interior of a lubricator.
  • a safety apparatus for a line lubricator comprising:
  • a resilient member which biases the tool catcher arrangement towards a tool catching configuration in which the tool catcher arrangement is capable of catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement along an axial direction;
  • a secondary tool catcher arrangement for catching the tool catcher arrangement and a valve arrangement for sealing a passageway for accommodating a line, wherein the tool catcher arrangement and the indexing arrangement are configured to interact so as to selectively release a caught tool in response to a predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement may comprise a radially inwardly biased retaining ring and a latch release member which is moveable axially relative to the retaining ring between a first position in which the latch release member prevents the retaining ring from collapsing radially inwardly and a second position in which the retaining ring is permitted to collapse radially inwardly.
  • the safety apparatus may comprise a sleeve, wherein the retaining ring is fixed axially relative to the sleeve and the latch release member is frangibly connected to the sleeve so as to prevent axial movement of the latch release member relative to the retaining ring until a sufficient axial force is applied to the latch release member.
  • the safety apparatus may comprise a shear pin, wherein the latch release member is frangibly connected to the sleeve by the shear pin.
  • Such a shear pin may require an additional axial force to be applied from the tool to the tool catcher arrangement via the line. Such an additional axial force may be observable as an additional increase in tension in the line.
  • the latch release member may be configured for engagement by a second end of the mandrel.
  • the latch release member may be moveable axially from the first position to the second position under the action of the mandrel thereby causing the retaining ring to collapse radially inwardly so as to at least partially restrict subsequent axial movement of the mandrel relative to the retaining ring.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement may be configured to prevent axial movement of the mandrel relative to the retaining ring in at least one direction when the retaining ring is collapsed radially inwardly around the mandrel.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement may serve to catch the tool catcher arrangement after a tool is pulled into engagement with, and caught by, the tool catcher arrangement, but where line tension is inadvertently increased beyond a breaking tension. .
  • the retaining ring may be split.
  • the retaining ring may comprise a pair of opposing lugs, each lug being configured to engage the mandrel.
  • the latch release member may comprise a tab which extends axially between the lugs of the retaining ring to prevent the retaining ring from collapsing radially inwardly around the mandrel when the latch release member is in the first position.
  • the tab may be axially withdrawn from between the lugs of the retaining ring to permit the retaining ring to collapse radially inwardly around the mandrel when the latch release member is in the second position.
  • the lugs may be configured to engage a profile of the mandrel and prevent axial movement of the mandrel relative to the retaining ring when the retaining ring is collapsed radially inwardly around the mandrel.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement may comprise a plurality of retaining rings, wherein each retaining ring is radially inwardly biased and is configured to engage a profile of the mandrel when collapsed radially inwardly around the mandrel.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement may comprise a plurality of secondary resilient collet fingers, each secondary resilient collet finger defining a latch profile on an internal profile thereof for engaging a complementary profile of a mandrel of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • the secondary resilient collet fingers may be radially inwardly biased.
  • Each secondary resilient collet finger may be configured to deform radially outwardly to allow the profile of the mandrel to pass the secondary resilient collet fingers.
  • Each secondary resilient collet finger may be configured to return to its un- deformed state after the profile of the mandrel has passed the secondary resilient collet finger.
  • the valve arrangement may comprise:
  • valve body member defining a passageway for accommodating a line
  • valve member which is biased towards a closed position in which the valve member seals the passageway
  • valve release member which is moveable relative to the valve member between a first position in which the valve release member prevents the valve member from moving towards the closed position and a second position in which the valve member is permitted to move towards the closed position.
  • Such a valve arrangement may result in the valve member sealing the passageway for the line in the event of breakage of the line or disconnection of the line from the tool.
  • the valve release member may be moveable relative to the valve member from the first position to the second position in response to a force communicated from the tool to the valve release member.
  • the valve release member may be moveable relative to the valve member from the first position to the second position in response to a force communicated from the tool to the valve release member via the mandrel.
  • the valve release member may be moveable relative to the valve member from the first position to the second position in response to a force communicated from the tool to the valve release member via the mandrel and the latch release member.
  • the valve release member may be biased towards the first position.
  • the safety apparatus may be configured for installation within a lubricator housing or a stuffing box housing.
  • a lubricator for a line comprising a lubricator housing and a safety apparatus installed within the lubricator housing, wherein the safety apparatus comprises:
  • a resilient member which biases the tool catcher arrangement towards a tool catching configuration in which the tool catcher arrangement is capable of catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement along an axial direction;
  • a secondary tool catcher arrangement for catching the tool catcher arrangement and a valve arrangement for sealing a passageway for accommodating a line
  • tool catcher arrangement and the indexing arrangement are configured to interact so as to selectively release a caught tool in response to a predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • a safety system for a line lubricator comprising:
  • a resilient member which biases the tool catcher arrangement towards a tool catching configuration in which the tool catcher arrangement is capable of catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement along an axial direction;
  • a tension indicator arrangement for providing an indication of tension in a line supporting the tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement via the line and movement of the tool is resisted by the resilient member
  • a secondary tool catcher arrangement for catching the tool catcher arrangement and a valve arrangement for sealing a passageway for accommodating a line
  • tool catcher arrangement and the indexing arrangement are configured to interact so as to selectively release a caught tool in response to a predetermined sequence of axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement.
  • a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of retaining a tool in a line lubricator, comprising:
  • the method may comprise resisting motion of the tool towards a head member.
  • the method may comprise resisting motion of the tool catcher arrangement as the tool exerts a force on the tool catcher arrangement towards the head member.
  • the method may comprise sensing tension in a line used to exert the force from the tool on the tool catcher arrangement towards the head member.
  • the method may comprise displaying the sensed tension.
  • a tool retainer for use in a line lubricator, the tool retainer comprising:
  • a tool catcher arrangement for catching a tool when the tool is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement
  • tubular member and the tool catcher arrangement comprise one or more complementary inter-engaging features
  • a tool retainer for use in a line lubricator, the tool retainer comprising:
  • a tool catcher arrangement for catching a tool which is pulled into engagement with the tool catcher arrangement
  • tubular member and the tool catcher arrangement comprise one or more complementary inter-engaging features
  • the tool catcher arrangement can only release a caught tool after the tool catcher arrangement has been moved relative to the tubular member through a predetermined sequence of movements defined by the one or more complementary inter-engaging features.
  • a method of retaining a tool in a line lubricator comprising:
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation of a safety apparatus for a wireline lubricator, the safety apparatus being suspended from a lubricator housing part;
  • Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus and the lubricator housing part of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a detail of the longitudinal cross-section of Figure 2 showing a tool retainer in the vicinity of a lower end of the safety apparatus;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a collet sleeve of a tool catcher arrangement of the tool retainer, the collet sleeve defining collet fingers for catching a tool;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detent sleeve of the tool retainer
  • Figure 6A is a side elevation of a tubular member of the tool retainer illustrating a first position of a cam pin of the tool retainer in a J-slot of the tubular member;
  • Figure 6B is a side elevation of the tubular member of the tool retainer illustrating a second position of the cam pin of the tool retainer in the J-slot of the tubular member;
  • Figure 6C is a side elevation of the tubular member of the tool retainer illustrating a third position of the cam pin of the tool retainer in the J-slot of the tubular member
  • Figure 6D is a side elevation of the tubular member of the tool retainer illustrating a fourth position of the cam pin of the tool retainer in the J-slot of the tubular member
  • Figure 7 is a detail of the longitudinal cross-section of Figure 2 in the vicinity of an upper end of the safety apparatus
  • Figure 8A is a first side elevation of a valve assembly of the safety apparatus of
  • Figure 1 Figure 8B is a second side elevation of the valve assembly of Figure 8A;
  • Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer and a tool in a longitudinal plane through the collet fingers of the tool retainer as the tool approaches the tool retainer;
  • Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer and the tool in a longitudinal plane through the collet fingers when the tool first contacts the tool retainer;
  • Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the tool retainer and the tool when the tool first contacts the tool retainer and in which the right-hand side includes the longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer in a longitudinal plane through the collet fingers of Figure 10 and in which the left-hand side includes a longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer in a longitudinal plane through detent fingers of the tool retainer;
  • Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer and the tool in a longitudinal plane through the detent fingers when the tool first contacts the tool catcher arrangement corresponding to the left-hand side of Figure 1 1 ;
  • Figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer and the tool in a longitudinal plane through the detent fingers after initial upward displacement of the tool retainer;
  • Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 after further upward displacement of the tool and the tool catcher arrangement of the tool retainer;
  • Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-section of the tool retainer and the tool in a longitudinal plane through the collet fingers after initial downward displacement of the tool;
  • Figure 16 is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of an upper end of the safety apparatus as a mandrel of the tool catcher arrangement of the tool retainer approaches its upper end position;
  • Figure 17 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of an upper end of the safety apparatus as a mandrel of the tool catcher arrangement of the tool retainer approaches its upper end position; is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the safety apparatus as a mandrel of the tool catcher arrangement of the tool retainer reaches its upper end position; is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the safety apparatus when the mandrel is in its upper end position and after a further upward force is exerted on the tool catcher arrangement so as to shear a shear pin used to prevent axial movement of a latch release member; is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the safety apparatus after initial upward axial movement of the latch release member and radial collapse of snap rings of a secondary tool catcher arrangement to catch a mandrel of the tool retainer; is a partial longitudinal cross-section of
  • Figure 25 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the safety apparatus when the valve release member is in the second position after the wireline breaks;
  • Figure 26 is a longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the safety apparatus after the wireline breaks and the valve member has closed;
  • Figure 27 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of the safety apparatus of Figure 1 in the vicinity of the upper end of the safety apparatus after the wireline breaks and the valve member has closed;
  • Figure 28(a) is a longitudinal cross-section of a first alternative tool catcher arrangement of a first alternative tool retainer in a longitudinal plane through detent fingers of the tool retainer;
  • Figure 28(b) is the longitudinal cross-section of the first alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 28(a) in the longitudinal plane through the detent fingers during initial engagement of a tool with the first alternative tool catcher arrangement;
  • Figure 29 is a longitudinal cross-section of a tool approaching a second alternative tool catcher arrangement of a second alternative tool retainer
  • Figure 30(a) is the longitudinal cross-section of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 29 during initial engagement of a head of a first tool with a first tapered wedge surface defined at a lower end of a mandrel of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement;
  • Figure 30(b) is the longitudinal cross-section of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 30(a) after further upward movement of the first tool, the mandrel and the collet fingers so as to capture the head of the first tool;
  • Figure 31 (a) is the longitudinal cross-section of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 29 during initial engagement of a head of a second tool with a second tapered wedge surface defined by the collet fingers of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement;
  • Figure 31 (b) is the longitudinal cross-section of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 31 (a) after further upward movement of the second tool, the mandrel and the collet fingers so as to capture the head of the second tool;
  • Figure 32(a) is the longitudinal cross-section of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 29 during initial engagement of a head of a third tool with a third tapered wedge surface defined by the collet fingers of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement;
  • Figure 32(b) is the longitudinal cross-section of the second alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 32(a) after further upward movement of the third tool, the mandrel and the collet fingers so as to capture the head of the third tool; is a longitudinal cross-section of a third alternative tool catcher arrangement; is a perspective view of a mandrel of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33; is a perspective view of a collet sleeve of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33; is a cut-away perspective view of an indexing sleeve of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(a) schematically illustrates a first indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(b) schematically illustrates a second indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(c) schematically illustrates a third indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(d) schematically illustrates a fourth indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(e) schematically illustrates a fifth indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(f) schematically illustrates a sixth indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(g) schematically illustrates a seventh indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(h) schematically illustrates an eighth indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 37(i) schematically illustrates a ninth indexing configuration of the indexing arrangement of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33
  • Figure 38(a) is a longitudinal cross-section of a first operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33
  • Figure 38(b) is a longitudinal cross-section of a second operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 38(c) is a longitudinal cross-section of a third operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 38(d) is a longitudinal cross-section of a fourth operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 38(e) is a longitudinal cross-section of a fifth operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 38(f) is a longitudinal cross-section of a sixth operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 38(g) is a longitudinal cross-section of a seventh operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33;
  • Figure 38(h) is a longitudinal cross-section of an eighth operational configuration of the third alternative tool catcher arrangement of Figure 33.
  • a safety apparatus generally designated 2 suspended from a housing part 4 of a wireline lubricator.
  • the safety apparatus 2 includes a tool retainer generally designated 3.
  • the tool retainer 3 includes a generally tubular head member 5, a slotted tubular member 6 extending axially from the head member 5, and a tool catcher arrangement generally designated 8 which is movable relative to the tubular member 6.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 is configured for catching a tool or a tool string (not shown in Figures 1 and 2).
  • the tool retainer 3 further includes a resilient member in the form of a compression spring 9 extending within the tubular member 6 between the head member 5 and the tool catcher arrangement 8 so as to resist axial motion of the tool catcher arrangement 8 towards the head member 5.
  • the safety system 2 further includes a secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 and a valve arrangement 12 for sealing an aperture for a wireline.
  • FIG. 3 shows a lower region of the tubular member 6 and the tool catcher arrangement 8 in more detail.
  • the tubular member 6 defines an internal profile which includes an annular recess 18, an upper axial section 16 extending axially upwardly from the annular recess 18 to the head member 5 and a lower axial section 14 extending axially downwardly from the annular recess 18 to a lower end of the tubular member 6.
  • Each of the axial sections 14, 16 has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the annular recess 18.
  • the annular recess 18 and the upper axial section 16 define a tapered profile 15 therebetween.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 includes a tubular mandrel 20 which defines a bore 22 for accommodating a wireline (not shown in Figure 3).
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 further includes cam pins 24 extending radially outwardly from the mandrel 20 for engaging respective slots 26 defined in the tubular member 6.
  • the slots 26 are configured such that some axial movements of the tool catcher arrangement 8 within the tubular member 6 are accompanied by rotation of the tool catcher arrangement 8 within the tubular member 6.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 also includes a bearing 28 mounted on the mandrel 20.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 includes a tool catcher sleeve in the form of a collet member 30 mounted on the mandrel 20.
  • the collet member 30 defines four tool catcher elements in the form of four downwardly directed resilient collet fingers 32.
  • Each collet finger 32 defines a latch profile 34 at one end of the collet finger 32 on a radially inner surface thereof, the latch profile 34 including a tapered wedge portion 36 and a shoulder 38.
  • Each collet finger 32 further defines a tapered outer shoulder 39 on a radially outer surface thereof.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 further includes a guide sleeve 40 mounted on the mandrel 20.
  • the guide sleeve 40 defines two downwardly directed resilient detent fingers 42.
  • Each detent finger 42 defines a detent profile 44 at one end of the detent finger 42 on a radially outer surface thereof.
  • the guide sleeve 40 further defines two diametrically opposed windows 46. One of the windows 46 is also shown in the left-hand side of Figure 1 1.
  • the tool retainer 3 further includes a detent sleeve 50 mounted at a lower end of the tubular member 6.
  • the detent sleeve 50 defines two upwardly directed resilient detent fingers 52.
  • Each detent finger 52 defines a detent profile 54 at one end of the detent finger 52 on a radially inner surface thereof for engagement with a detent profile 44 of one of the downwardly directed detent fingers 42 of the guide sleeve 40 of the tool catcher arrangement 8.
  • the upwardly directed detent fingers 52 and the windows 46 of the guide sleeve 40 are configured so as to permit axial movement of each upwardly directed detent finger 52 in a corresponding window 46.
  • the detent sleeve 50 further defines two upwardly directed release fingers 56.
  • Each release finger 56 defines a release profile 58 at one end of the release finger 56 on a radially outer surface thereof for engagement with a latch profile 34 of one of the downwardly directed collet fingers 32 of the collet member 30 of the tool catcher arrangement 8.
  • Figures 6A to 6D illustrate the paths defined by the slots 26 of the tubular member 6 and the relative positions of the cam pins 24 in the slots 26 of the tubular member 6 as the tool catcher arrangement 8 moves axially up and down within the tubular member 6.
  • the slots 26 are configured so as to define a sequence of axial movements which the cam pins 24 and, therefore, the tool catcher arrangement 8 are required to follow in order that the tool catcher arrangement 8 can move from the axial position of the tool catcher arrangement 8 corresponding to Figure 6A through the axial positions of the tool catcher arrangement 8 corresponding to Figures 6B - 6D and back to the axial position of the tool catcher arrangement 8 corresponding to Figure 6A.
  • FIG. 7 shows an upper end region of the safety apparatus 2 illustrating the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 and the valve arrangement 12 in more detail.
  • the head member 5 defines a flange 62 which engages and is supported by a shoulder 64 defined by an internal surface of the housing part 4 of the wireline lubricator.
  • the tubular member 6 is connected to the head member 5 by means of a dowel pin arrangement 66.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 includes a pair of radially inwardly biased snap rings 70, a release member 72 and an inner sleeve 74.
  • the snap rings 70 are radially and circumferentially fixed relative to the head member 5 by means of dowel pins 76 which extend axially between the head member 5 and the inner sleeve 74.
  • the release member 72 is initially fixed axially with respect to the inner sleeve 74 by means of a frangible connector in the form of a sheer pin 78.
  • the valve arrangement 12 includes a valve body member 80 defining a bore 81 for accommodating a wireline (not shown in Figure 7), a valve member in the form of a flapper valve member generally designated 82, and a valve release member 84.
  • the flapper valve member 82 is selectively pivotable about an axle 83 so as to provide a seal across a lower end of the bore 81 in the event of breakage of the wireline (not shown in Figure 7).
  • the valve arrangement 12 further includes a valve release activation member 85 which is connected to the valve release member 84 as described in more detail below.
  • the valve body member 80 is screw coupled to the head member 5 by means of a threaded connection 86 so as to trap the inner sleeve 74 and the snap rings 70 of the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 axially between the valve body member 80 and a shoulder 87 defined by an internal surface of the head member 5 adjacent to a lower end of the head member 5.
  • the valve arrangement 12 further includes an O-ring 88 carried within a circumferential groove 89 defined on an outer surface of the valve body member 80.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B show the valve arrangement 12 in isolation. As shown in
  • the valve arrangement 12 further includes a screw 90, a projection 91 extending from a side of the flapper valve member 82 (not shown in Figure 8A), and a tension spring 92.
  • One end of the tension spring 92 is connected to the screw 90 and the other end of the tension spring 92 is connected to the projection 91 so as to bias the flapper valve member 82 towards a closed position in which the flapper valve member 82 seals the aperture 81.
  • the valve arrangement 12 further includes a valve release compression spring 96 which biases the valve release member 84 and the valve release activation member 85 towards their respective axial positions illustrated in Figures 7 and 8B.
  • Figure 9 shows a tool or tool string 100 attached to an end of a wireline 102 as the wireline 102 is hauled in by a winch (not shown) and the tool 100 approaches a lower end of the tubular member 6 of the tool retainer 3.
  • the wireline 102 extends from the tool 100 to the winch (not shown) through a lower end of the tubular member 6, through the bore 22 defined by the mandrel 20 and through the aperture 81 defined by the valve body member 80 shown in Figure 7.
  • the tool retainer 3 is located within a lubricator housing (not shown) which may be located at a wellhead of an oil or gas well.
  • the tool retainer 3 may form part of a safety system which includes a tension sensor (not shown) for sensing a tension in the wireline 102 and a tension indicator (not shown) for displaying the tension sensed by the tension sensor (not shown) to a winch operator.
  • the tool 100 defines a fishing neck 104 and a head 106 located above the fishing neck 104.
  • the fishing neck 104 and the head 106 define a shoulder 108 therebetween.
  • the wireline 102 is attached to the head 106 of the tool 100.
  • the compression spring 9 urges the tool catcher arrangement 8 downwardly until the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 are aligned in an axial direction with the annular recess 18 of the tubular member 6 and the collet fingers 32 are radially de-supported. At the same time, the compression spring 9 forces the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 downwardly against the release profiles 58 of the release fingers 56 of the detent sleeve 50 causing the collet fingers 32 to be deformed radially outwardly into the annular recess 18.
  • the upwardly directed detent fingers 52 of the detent sleeve 50 move axially upwardly within the windows 46 defined in the guide sleeve 50 until the detent profiles 44 of the downwardly directed detent fingers 42 of the guide sleeve 40 engage the detent profiles 54 of the upwardly directed detent fingers 52 of the detent sleeve 50.
  • the engagement of the detent profiles 44, 54 of the detent fingers 42, 52 in this way provides a modest temporary additional resistance to the upward axial motion of the tool catcher arrangement 8 within the tubular member 6. This temporary additional resistance serves no purpose unless the tool retainer 3 is operated under abnormal conditions, for example, in the presence of debris or particulates as will now be described.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 may move upwardly with the tool 100 before the head 106 of the tool 100 can move upwardly past the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 and engage the lower end of the mandrel 20. Such premature upward movement of the tool catcher arrangement 8 may cause the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 to disengage from the release profiles 58 of the release fingers 56 and cause the collet fingers 32 to return to their natural undeformed state before the head 106 of the tool 100 engages the lower end of the mandrel 20.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 8 may continue to move upwardly until the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 are aligned in the axial direction with the smaller inner diameter axial section 16 of the internal profile of the tubular member 6 which would prevent the radially outward deformation of the collet fingers 32 required to allow the head 106 of the tool 100 to pass the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 in an upward direction.
  • the temporary additional resistance provided by engagement of the detent profiles 44, 54 of the detent fingers 42, 52 is greater than the upward force that must be exerted between the head 106 of the tool 100 and the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 to deform the collet fingers 32 radially outwardly into the recess 18 to allow the head 106 of the tool 100 to move upwardly past the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 and engage the lower end of the mandrel 20.
  • the detent fingers 42, 52 serve to temporarily detain the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 adjacent to the annular recess 18 until the head 106 of the tool 100 can move upwardly past the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 and engage the lower end of the mandrel 20.
  • Figure 6A shows the position of the cam pins 24 relative to the slots 26 defined in the tubular member 6 corresponding to the initial position of tool catcher arrangement 8 shown in Figures 3, 9 - 12.
  • Figure 6B shows the cam pins 24 at the upper end of their normal range of travel in the slots 26 when the tool catcher arrangement 8 is at its upper end of its normal range of travel as shown in Figure 14.
  • the axial extent of the slots 26 may be selected to allow the winch operator sufficient time to observe an increase in tension on the tension indicator as the wireline 102 is hauled in and the tool catcher arrangement 8 compresses the compression spring 9.
  • the axial extent of the slots 26 may be approximately 1.2 m (approximately 48").
  • any initial subsequent lowering of the tool catcher member 8 results in the cam pins 24 adopting the position shown in Figure 6C.
  • the slot 26 is configured such that latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 remain above the annular recess 18 of the internal profile of the tubular member 6 for the position of the cam pins 24 shown in Figure 6C such that the smaller inner diameter region 16 continues to prevent outward radial deformation of the collet fingers 32 causing the shoulders 38 of the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 to engage the shoulder 108 of the tool 100 preventing downward movement of the tool 100 past the shoulders 38 of the latch profiles 34 as shown in Figure 15.
  • the shoulders 38 of the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 catch the tool 100.
  • the shoulders 38 of the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 catch the tool 100.
  • the tool 100 may be held captive by the tool retainer 3 within a lubricator housing. This may allow easy access to the downhole tool 100 whilst the tool 100 is held captive, for example by opening the lubricator housing, and may reduce the risk of the tool 100 being accidentally dropped into the well.
  • the tool retainer 3 is readily reset by controlling tension in the wireline 102. More specifically, if the tool catcher arrangement 8 is positioned within the tubular member 6 such that the position of the cam pin 24 within the slot 26 is intermediate the positions of the cam pin 24 shown in Figures 6B and 6C when wireline operations are to be resumed, any initial subsequent lowering of the tool catcher member 8 results in the cam pin 24 adopting the position shown in Figure 6C. A subsequent increase in tension in the wireline 102 may result in upward movement of the tool catcher member 8 and movement of the cam pin 24 within the slot 26 to a position intermediate the position of the cam pin 24 shown in Figures 6C and 6D.
  • a subsequent decrease in tension in the wireline 102 may result in downward movement of the tool catcher member 8 and movement of the cam pin 24 within the slot 26 back to the position shown in Figure 6A such that the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 are aligned in the axial direction with the annular recess 18 and the collet fingers 32 engage and are deformed radially outwardly by the release profile 58 of the release fingers 56 of the detent sleeve 50 allowing the head 106 of the tool 100 to move downwardly past the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 thereby releasing the tool 100.
  • the configuration of the slot 26 allows a winch operator to reset the tool retainer 3 solely by controlling the application of tension to the wireline 102 and without the need to disassemble the tool retainer 3.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 and the valve arrangement 12 provide additional safety features that are activated in the event that the winch operator fails to observe the increase in tension on the tension indicator (not shown) and continues to haul in the wireline 102 such that the tool catcher arrangement 8 travels upwardly beyond the upper end of its normal range of travel shown in Figure 14.
  • the mandrel 20 defines a neck 1 10, a head 112 located axially above the neck 1 10, and a shoulder 1 14 between the neck 1 10 and head 1 12.
  • the head 112 defines an upper surface 116 which constitutes an upper end surface of the mandrel 20.
  • the snap rings 70 each define a pair of lugs 120 and the release member 72 defines a pair of tabs 122, wherein each tab 122 initially extends downwardly between a pair of lugs 120 of a snap ring 70 as shown in Figures 16 and 17. In effect, the tabs 122 initially prevent the snap rings 70 from collapsing radially inwardly.
  • any subsequent downward movement of the mandrel 20 is then prevented by virtue of engagement of the lugs 120 with the shoulder 1 14 of the mandrel 20.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 captures the mandrel 20 in this way, the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 also effectively captures the tool 100 because, in order for the secondary tool catcher arrangement 10 to capture the mandrel 20 in this way, the tool 100 must first be captured by the tool retainer 3.
  • the additional increase in wireline tension required to shear the shear pin 78 may also serve as a further final indication to the winch operator that the tool 100 is approaching the end of its range of travel.
  • a further increase in tension in the wireline 102 results in further upward movement of the tool catcher member 8 resulting in the upper end surface 1 16 of the mandrel 20 engaging and then activating the valve release activation member 85 which causes the valve release member 84 to move upwardly to the position shown in Figure 23 such that the valve member 84 is aligned with a recess 130 defined in a side of the flapper valve member 82.
  • the wireline may break or may be stripped from the tool 100 as shown in Figures 24 and 25.
  • the flapper valve member 82 is then free to pivot through 90° on the axle 83 under the action of the compression spring 92 shown in Figure 8A until the flapper valve member 82 engages a surface 132 of the valve body member 80 and forms a seal therewith at a lower end of the bore 81 in the valve body member 80 as shown in Figures 26 and 27.
  • the flapper valve member 82 carries an O-ring 134 in a surface thereof (see Figure 26) for this purpose.
  • Figure 28(a) shows a lower region of a first alternative tool retainer 203 which includes a first alternative tool catcher arrangement 208 configured for catching the tool 300 as shown in Figure 28(b).
  • the first alternative tool retainer 203 of Figures 28(a) and 28(b) shares many like features with the tool retainer 3 described with reference to Figures 9 to 15, with the features of the first alternative tool retainer 203 of Figures 28(a) and 28(b) having the same reference numerals as like features of the tool retainer 3 of Figures 9 to 15 incremented by "200".
  • the tool retainer 203 includes a tubular member 206 which defines an internal profile which includes an annular recess 218, an upper axial section 216 extending axially upwardly from the annular recess 218 and a lower axial section 214 extending axially downwardly from the annular recess 218 to a lower end of the tubular member 206.
  • Each of the axial sections 214, 216 has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the annular recess 218.
  • the annular recess 218 and the upper axial section 216 define a tapered profile 215 therebetween.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 208 includes a collet member 230 mounted on a mandrel 220.
  • the collet member 230 is identical to the collet member 30 shown in Figure 4 and defines four downwardly directed resilient collet fingers 232.
  • Each collet finger 232 defines a latch profile 234 at one end on a radially inner surface thereof, the latch profile 234 including a tapered wedge portion 236 and a shoulder 238.
  • Each collet finger 232 further defines a tapered outer shoulder 239 on a radially outer surface thereof.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 208 includes a guide sleeve 240 mounted on a mandrel 220.
  • the guide sleeve 240 defines two downwardly directed radially outwardly biased resilient detent fingers 242.
  • the tool retainer 203 further includes a detent sleeve 250 mounted at a lower end of a tubular member 206.
  • the detent sleeve 250 defines two upwardly directed release fingers 256.
  • Each release finger 256 defines a release profile 258 at one end of the release finger 256 on a radially outer surface thereof for engagement with a latch profile 234 of one of the downwardly directed collet fingers 232 of the collet member 230.
  • the detent sleeve 250 does not define any upwardly directed detent fingers analogous to the upwardly directed detent fingers 52 of the detent sleeve 50. Consequently, unlike the guide sleeve 40, the guide sleeve 240 does not define any windows analogous to the windows 46.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 208 further includes an inner guide sleeve 247 defining downwardly directed guide fingers 248.
  • the inner guide sleeve 247 is connected to the mandrel 220 by screws 249.
  • the downwardly directed guide fingers 248 are configured to be relatively rigid compared with the resilient detent fingers 242 of the guide sleeve 240.
  • the radially outwardly biased resilient detent fingers 242 of the guide sleeve 240 engage the inner surface of the upper axial section 216 of the tubular member 206 and provide some resistance to the upward movement of the tool catcher arrangement 208 thereby detaining the latch profiles 234 of the collet fingers 232 adjacent the annular recess 218 until the shoulder 308 of the tool 300 passes the latch profiles 234.
  • the guide fingers 248 of the inner guide sleeve 247 act to centralise the tool head 306 when the tool head 306 approaches and then engages the lower end of the mandrel 220.
  • the guide fingers 248 of the inner guide sleeve 247 act so as to prevent the transfer of any off-axis forces from the tool head 306 to the collet fingers 232.
  • the guide fingers 248 of the inner guide sleeve 247 may serve to protect the collet fingers 232 from any off-axis bending forces whilst also permitting the collet fingers 232 to axially retain the tool head 306.
  • Figures 29 shows a lower region of a second alternative tool retainer 403 which includes a second alternative tool catcher arrangement 408 configured for catching a tool 500.
  • the second alternative tool retainer 403 of Figures 29 shares many like features with the tool retainer 3 described with reference to Figures 9 to 15, with the features of the second alternative tool retainer 403 having the same reference numerals as like features of the tool retainer 3 of Figures 9 to 15 incremented by "400".
  • the tool retainer 403 includes a tubular member 406 which defines an internal profile which includes an annular recess 418, an upper axial section 416 extending axially upwardly from the annular recess 418 and a lower axial section 414 extending axially downwardly from the annular recess 418 to a lower end of the tubular member 406.
  • Each of the axial sections 414, 416 has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the annular recess 418.
  • the annular recess 418 and the upper axial section 416 define a tapered profile 415 therebetween.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 408 includes a collet member 430 mounted on a mandrel 420.
  • the collet member 430 defines four downwardly directed resilient collet fingers 432.
  • Each collet finger 432 further defines a tapered outer shoulder 439 on a radially outer surface thereof.
  • each collet finger 432 defines a plurality of latch profiles 434a, 434b and 434c on a radially inner surface thereof, each latch profile 434a, 434b and 434c configured to engage a different tool head.
  • Each latch profile 434a, 434b, 434c includes a shoulder 438a, 438b, 438c respectively.
  • the latch profiles 434b, 434c include tapered wedge surfaces 436b and 436c respectively.
  • the lower end of the mandrel 420 defines a tapered wedge surface 436a which is configured to be engaged by the smallest tool head 506a shown in Figures 30(a) and 30(b).
  • the lowermost latch profile 434c is configured to be engaged by the largest tool head 506c shown in Figures 32(a) and 32(b).
  • the intermediate latch profile 434b is configured to be engaged by an intermediate tool head 506b, intermediate in size between the smallest tool head 506a and the largest tool head 506c.
  • the tool retainer 403 further includes a detent sleeve 450 mounted at a lower end of a tubular member 406.
  • the detent sleeve 450 defines an upwardly directed annular release member 456 which defines a release profile 458 at an upper end of the release member 456 on a radially outer surface thereof for engagement with complementary release profiles 459 defined on a radially inner surface at a lower end of the downwardly directed collet fingers 432 to deform the collet fingers 432 radially outwardly into the annular recess 418 as shown in Figures 30(a), 31 (a) and 32(a).
  • the latch profiles 434a, 434b, 434c are configured such that the relevant tool head 506a, 506b, 506c, may be pulled upwardly past the corresponding shoulder 438a, 438b, 438c into engagement with the corresponding tapered wedge surface 436a, 436b, 436c as shown in Figures 30(b), 31 (b) and 32(b) respectively.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 408 moves upwardly with the relevant tool head 506a, 506b, 506c until the tapered outer shoulder 439 on each collet finger 432 engages the tapered shoulder 415 defined on the inner profile of the tubular member 406 forcing the collet fingers 432 radially inwardly.
  • Figure 33 shows a lower region of a third alternative tool retainer 603 which includes a third alternative tool catcher arrangement 608 configured for catching a tool (not shown).
  • the third alternative tool retainer 603 of Figure 33 shares many like features with the second alternative tool retainer 403 described with reference to Figures 29 to 32(b), with the features of the third alternative tool retainer 603 having the same reference numerals as like features of the second alternative tool retainer 403 of Figures 29 to 32(b) incremented by "200".
  • the tool retainer 603 includes a tubular member 606 which defines an internal profile which includes an annular recess 618, an upper axial section 616 extending axially upwardly from the annular recess 618 and a lower axial section 614 extending axially downwardly from the annular recess 618 to a lower end of the tubular member 606.
  • Each of the axial sections 614, 616 has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the annular recess 618.
  • the annular recess 618 and the upper axial section 616 define a tapered profile 615 therebetween.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 608 includes a collet member 630 mounted on a mandrel 620.
  • the collet member 630 defines six downwardly directed resilient collet fingers 632.
  • Each collet finger 632 further defines a tapered outer shoulder 639 on a radially outer surface thereof.
  • Each collet finger 632 defines a plurality of latch profiles 634a, 634b and 634c on a radially inner surface thereof, each latch profile 634a, 634b and 634c configured to engage a different tool head.
  • Each latch profile 634a, 634b, 634c includes a shoulder 638a, 638b, 638c respectively.
  • the latch profiles 634b, 634c include tapered wedge surfaces 636b and 636c respectively.
  • the lower end of the mandrel 620 defines a tapered wedge surface 636a.
  • the latch profiles 634a, 634b, 634c are configured such that a tool head may be pulled upwardly past one or more of the shoulders 638a, 638b, 638c into engagement with the relevant tapered wedge surface 636a, 636b, 636c respectively.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 608 moves upwardly with the tool head until the tapered outer shoulder 639 on each collet finger 632 engages the tapered shoulder 615 defined on the inner profile of the tubular member 606 forcing the collet fingers 632 radially inwardly.
  • the tool catcher arrangement 608 further includes a guide sleeve 640 mounted on the mandrel 620, an indexing sleeve 750 mounted around the mandrel 620 and the collet member 630, and a secondary resilient member in the form of a secondary compression spring 760.
  • the indexing sleeve 750 is rotatable within the guide sleeve 640.
  • Figure 34 shows an end portion of the mandrel 620 and the secondary compression spring 760.
  • the mandrel 620 includes cam pins 624 which extend radially outwardly therefrom.
  • the collet member 630 defines a radially outward projection 631 on each collet finger 632. As shown in Figure 33, the radially outward projections 631 are located axially below the cam pins 624. Referring back to Figure 35, radially outward spline projections 633 are also defined on alternate collet fingers 632. As shown in Figure 33, the radially outward spline projections 633 are located axially below the radially outward projections 631.
  • Figure 36 shows an internal surface of the indexing sleeve 750.
  • the indexing sleeve 750 defines a circumferentially extending primary cam profile 752 and a circumferentially extending secondary cam profile 754 on an internal surface thereof.
  • the primary cam profile 752 faces generally axially downwardly and is configured to be engaged by the radially outward projections 631 of the collet member 630.
  • the secondary cam profile 754 faces generally axially upwardly and is configured to be engaged by the cam pins 624.
  • a series of axial grooves 756 connect the primary and secondary cam profiles 752, 754.
  • the indexing sleeve 750 also defines a series of axial grooves 758 on an internal surface thereof which are complementary to the spline projections 633 of the collet member 630.
  • the indexing sleeve 750 also defines axial splines 759 between adjacent axial grooves 758.
  • the series of axial grooves 758 and axial splines are located at a lower axial end of the indexing sleeve 750.
  • FIGs 37(a) - 37(h) schematically illustrates the relative axial and rotational positions of the indexing sleeve 750 and the collet member 630 during the operational sequence shown in Figures 38(a) - 38(h).
  • Figures 37(a) shows the relative positions when a tool 700 is first pulled into engagement with the collet fingers 632 as shown in Figure 38(a). Further upward movement of the tool 700 moves the collet member 630 upwardly as shown in Figures 38(b) and 38(c) until the secondary compression spring 760 is fully compressed corresponding to Figure 37(c) and as shown in Figure 38(d).
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise more or fewer than four collet fingers for catching a tool.
  • the tool catcher arrangement may comprise more or fewer than two cam pins.
  • Slot profiles other the slot profiles 26 shown in Figure 6A - 6D may be used to define any predetermined sequence of axial movement of the tool catcher arrangement relative to the tubular member that is required to be followed before the tool catcher arrangement releases a caught tool.
  • the guide sleeve 40 may be omitted.
  • a sleeve carrying a plurality of circumferentially arranged sprung keys may be used instead.
  • Each key may be biased radially inwardly by a resilient member such as a radially arranged compression spring mounted with the key on the sleeve.
  • Each key may define a radially inner latch profile which is analogous to the latch profiles 34 of the collet fingers 32 and a tapered outer shoulder which is analogous to the tapered outer shoulder defined on the radially outer surfaces of the collet fingers 32.
  • the secondary tool catcher arrangement may comprise a plurality of secondary radially inwardly biased resilient collet fingers, each secondary collet finger defining a latch profile on an internal profile thereof.
  • the secondary collet fingers may be configured to deform radially outwardly to allow a profile at the upper end of the mandrel to pass the secondary collet fingers before snapping back into place to retain the profile at the upper end of the mandrel in the same way that the collet fingers are configured to deform radially outwardly to allow the tool head to pass the collet fingers before snapping back into place to retain the tool head.

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Abstract

Dispositif de retenue d'outil à utiliser dans un lubrificateur de conduite comprenant un agencement de récepteur d'outil pour recevoir un outil et un élément élastique qui sollicite l'agencement de récepteur d'outil vers une configuration de réception d'outil dans laquelle l'agencement de récepteur d'outil peut recevoir un outil lorsque l'outil est tiré en prise avec l'agencement de récepteur d'outil le long d'une direction axiale. Le dispositif de retenue d'outil comprend un agencement d'indexation, l'agencement de récepteur d'outil et l'agencement d'indexation étant conçus pour entrer en interaction de manière à sélectivement libérer un outil reçu en réponse à une séquence prédéfinie de mouvements axiaux de l'agencement de récepteur d'outil. L'élément élastique peut résister au mouvement axial de l'agencement de récepteur d'outil sous l'action d'une force exercée sur l'agencement de récepteur d'outil par l'outil quand l'outil est tiré dans un lubrificateur au niveau de la tête de puits d'un puits de pétrole ou de gaz sur l'extrémité d'une conduite.
PCT/GB2015/051836 2014-06-23 2015-06-23 Élément de retenue d'outil WO2015198041A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1411145.4 2014-06-23
GBGB1411145.4A GB201411145D0 (en) 2014-06-23 2014-06-23 Tool retainer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015198041A2 true WO2015198041A2 (fr) 2015-12-30
WO2015198041A3 WO2015198041A3 (fr) 2016-03-17

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PCT/GB2015/051836 WO2015198041A2 (fr) 2014-06-23 2015-06-23 Élément de retenue d'outil

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GB (1) GB201411145D0 (fr)
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109538145A (zh) * 2019-01-08 2019-03-29 成都百胜野牛科技有限公司 柱塞捕捉器
US11162318B2 (en) 2019-09-12 2021-11-02 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Tool catcher system
WO2022129971A1 (fr) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 Totalenergies Onetech Système et procédé d'intervention de puits sous-marin
WO2023183501A1 (fr) * 2022-03-24 2023-09-28 Ferro Supply LLC Outil économiseur de câble
WO2024086075A1 (fr) * 2022-10-18 2024-04-25 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Dispositif de capture d'outil à actionnement hydraulique

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4101157A (en) * 1977-07-11 1978-07-18 Richey Vernon T Tool for fishing an object from a bore hole
US4232894A (en) * 1979-08-02 1980-11-11 Taylor William T Selectively releasable overshot and pull tool
US4498563A (en) * 1982-08-23 1985-02-12 Trahan Wilson J Wireline catcher
US4577687A (en) * 1984-02-27 1986-03-25 Hydrolex, Inc. Cable head catcher mechanism

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109538145A (zh) * 2019-01-08 2019-03-29 成都百胜野牛科技有限公司 柱塞捕捉器
US11162318B2 (en) 2019-09-12 2021-11-02 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Tool catcher system
WO2022129971A1 (fr) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 Totalenergies Onetech Système et procédé d'intervention de puits sous-marin
WO2023183501A1 (fr) * 2022-03-24 2023-09-28 Ferro Supply LLC Outil économiseur de câble
WO2024086075A1 (fr) * 2022-10-18 2024-04-25 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Dispositif de capture d'outil à actionnement hydraulique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201411145D0 (en) 2014-08-06
WO2015198041A3 (fr) 2016-03-17

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